The Nymph's Redemption: Acantha's Journey (7ds fanfiction)

Chapter Seventeen: A Battle Lost

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Meliodas was handling all the attacks flawlessly. Everyone surrounded to watch yet Acantha's gaze remained on the blonde she came to care for with all her heart. The girl couldn't quite explain this level of care for him she just knew that it made her feel like Meliodas meant the world. He was so kind to her and helped her become strong. To Acantha, she would do anything to be by his side even if it meant falling off the face of the earth.

As the fight went on, everyone started to discuss how Meliodas was able to handle things. Gowther spoke up. "He is using a technique that renders at least one opponent unable to battle, keeping it at a constant one-on-one fight. This is a strategy that only the captain can pull off." He said. King nodded. "Even so, Meliodas has that demonic power." The fairy stated. Ban sighed. "The commandments all called the captain a traitor of the demon race. But even if that were the case, the captain is still the captain." He said and scratched the back of his neck.

Unfortunately during such a fight, multiple demonic entities crashed down onto the battlefield, taking everyone by storm. "During the fight too much murderous intent had flowed out and that has attracted the Ten Commandments." Gowther said simply. Acantha could sense all that power eminating through the crystal ball and quickly became antsy. She wanted to help and do anything she could but something held her back. It was a deep fear that the demonic enemy struck within her. 

As she watched the fight go down between Zeldris of Piety, the commandments leader, and Meliodas, her heart started to ache. Even if he was decently fighting, when that cursed was placed upon him it was obvious he was outnumbered and outmatched. As everyone begged the mage to bring Meliodas back, he couldn't do it. During the fight, Meliodas made a smoke screen of sorts and attempted an escape from the barricade. This escape lasted a mere second as he was teleported back to the place he started. The blonde looked around before getting a barrage of attacks from Derieri of Purity. With each punch successfully landed, the next one would only be even more powerful.

After the 54th punch was sent, Monspeet grabbed Meliodas and went flying into the air, dropping him and releasing a hellfire bird on the sin of wrath. Acantha's legs started to tremble as she was unable to remove her gaze from the orb. The sight of Meliodas looking weak as he stood there made her tear up. Though something unbelievable happened, Meliodas activated his power he used at the capitol. This was revenge counter and it was even stronger than the last time he used it. Just as Meliodas went to release the power he stored up, it was cut short by Estarossa of Love.

Even Meliodas was shocked as everyone stood frozen in place. "I do this because I love you, brother." Estarossa said, knocking Meliodas down and putting a foot on his chest before stepping down and breaking his bones. Meliodas screamed in agony from this. Monspeet could sense the eyes of Meliodas' comrades. And once it was discovered they had escaped, Estarossa decided to expose Meliodas as a traitor. "So Meliodas. Your new friend group. When have you decided to betray them? Just like you were our leader and betrayed the entire demon clan all those years ago " he said.

Everyone's eyes widened. As Estarossa explained the story of Meliodas' betrayal, Ban seemed to have enough. "Hey mage. Teleport me over." He said. The orangey brown haired man nodded and did as requested. Acantha watched Ban leave before looking to now see Melascula attempting to take Meliodas' soul. Although it seemed as the blonde in question was fighting back. Ban snuck up behind Melascula and twisted her head backwards and completely snapped her neck. He then used fox hunt to destroy all of her hearts. Estarossa thanked Ban, though was ignored. The immortal man went to Meliodas, the two making such snide remarks. When Ban went to help Meliodas, the blonde was stabbed in one of his seven hearts by Estarossa.

Ban was in shock and tried to even hurt Estarossa. As the commandment of love summoned multiple different swords, he stabbed them into Meliodas' heart. Ban yelled curses at Estarossa and tried to use his power to become stronger yet nothing worked. The swords continued to to stab into all seven of Meliodas' hearts. With a weak look in his eyes, Meliodas watched his brother put the seventh sword in. Both Ban and Estarossa were in tears and Estarossa forced himself to kill Ban. The fox eyed man blew up into nothing within the blink of an eye. It was silent among all who watched. Tears streaming down everyone's faces. Acantha had her head down, her hair covered the tears on her face as with the only evidence of her crying being the droplets of salty tears dripping on the stone ground.